originally posted in:The New Dojo
"She wanted to cause chaos... And frame the Grenwalds for it. She wanted you to wipe each other out, which is why we cane as fast as we could."
Cannon said, slightly out of breath.
English
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"It's true, dad!" Bella told Ulfric. "I-I'm sorry...Diana betrayed you! She tricked us!" Ulfric paced across the room now, deep in thought. Can saw that his eyes were sleep deprived and baggy, similar to that of his own by now likely. "God...damnit...." Ulfric cursed. He sounded disappointed when he spoke. "So...Can. I suppose you...dealt with her then?" Ulfric asked Can as he nodded to the man's loss of limb.
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"I did. She won't be causing anyone trouble ever again." He nodded. Oddly, he still looked more energized than Ulfric due to his augmentations allowing his body to operate on less sleep more easily.
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"So then Can..." Ulfric stopped pacing. He turned to Can and his eye brows were furrowed. "What are you still doing here then. I know this is not your fight...you were never a Tokage to begin with. Nor were you just a farmer." "We know that, dad!" Bella told him. "Can is apart of the dojo! And he saved me! So he's good in my books that's for sure!" "And as much as I want to have him in my good books as well Bella the dojo was likely an accomplice in the murder of your uncle! My BROTHER! They've worked with the grenwalds as well! So how do I know that this wasn't some elaborate dojo scheme for Can to get close enough to us just to pick us off one by one?!" "Because killing is not Cannon's style." Yuri began. "He spared the Grenwald spies, he spared an assassin of our OWN clan who tried to kill him, it was Rory by the way, and he even tried to spare Diana before she made the decision herself. If he wanted us dead, he could have made the kills easily by now."
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"Besides, if I wanted you all dead, I'd have just let you and the Grenwalds kill each other." The Mando added.
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"Which was DIANA's plan, not Cannons." Yuri told Ulfric. "Jesus. You guys have one hell of a drama going on here." Abraham snickered. "Oh shut up green cloak!" Ulfric snapped. He calmed himself for a moment before he looked at Can. "Cannon, I suppose that is your real name. Despite your less than honest arrival, I suppose the end here justifies the means. You killed Diana, saved my daughter and now you have come back. Because if this..." Ulfric trailed as he walked closer to Can. "There is nothing else I can call you, except that you are my friend." Ulfric told him as he offered Cannon his hand.
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Cannon shook it, smiling slightly. "I'm just doing my job, sir."
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"I think you've done more than that. And let's drop the formalities, you weren't Tokage to begin with after all." Ulfric told Can with a grin. Can saw Bella's big smile as she stood behind Ulfric. Then, he turned his attention to the two grenwalds. "Speaking of which...why the hell did you bring these two green boys here?" "We came willingly actually." Hiebert said. "What? Why? I could capture you right now and none would be the wiser. So what the heck are you doing here?" Ulfric asked.
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"The war has to end. Niether side will gain anything aside from casualties if it continues." Cannon stated.
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"Wait, what?!" Ulfric asked as he was taken back. "I'm...sorry I know I'm a little more than sleep deprived but what are you saying?!" "The war needs to end, Ulfric." Yuri stated. "We have been fighting for too long and too many of us have died over what, a disagreement in beliefs?" "Those beliefs are what define us, Yuri!" Ulfric told them. "Those beliefs are the reason you are getting killed!" Abraham spoke up. This immediately made Ulfric red faced. "Why you listen here you-" "He's right!" Welters spoke up. "We are dying for what we believe, I get that. But this shi-stuff is ridiculous! Ulfric do you have any idea what the body count is?!" "Of course I do Welters! It's exactly why we have to finish this! We haven't worked centuries up until this moment just to make peace!" "Why not?" Bella asked her father. "It's because...!" Ulfric stopped himself as he raised his voice. He turned to his daughter, and let out a breath. "It's...it's because..." "Because why, dad?" Bella asked again. Ulfric seemed stumped by the question.
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"War for survival is one thing. Heck, even war for conquest makes sense, but neither of your beliefs demand the other dies, correct? Then why fight?"
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"Because centuries ago the Grenwald persecuted and discriminated against us for our beliefs!" Ulfric told Can. "We separated from the original clan of the Kakusa grove a long time ago because of that. And clearly, nothing has changed." "Except everyone who is here now." Hiebert said. "We, the people of these clans, are different. We can live together in peace as long as no one tries to kill the other." "Precisely. It's about respect for the other party no matter what they want to believe in." Yuri stated. "And why would we have enemies when we can have friends, right?!" Bella exclaimed to her father. He looked down at her, but Can saw that the man was still conflicted.
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Cannon remained quiet, Bella having taken the words from his mouth.
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"That...it isn't that simple." "Of course it is!" Abraham said. "The easy part is making the choice. The hard part is seeing it through."
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"Wise words." Cannon agreed with him.
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"For crying out...fine! Fine!" Ulfric declared. "Let's end a thousand year war with peace! I give in!" "YESSSSS!!!" Bella exclaimed as she hugged her father.
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Cannon smiled, albeit tiredly, leaning on his sword.
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"But how are we going to do this then?" Ulfric asked. "We need the grenwalds to co-operate. Cannon do you have any ideas?" The Tokage leader asked Cannon.
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He shrugged. "Stop shooting at them for one thing. White flags are also useful in these situations."
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"Also, Grenwalds have some gestures that may prove that the Tokage actually do mean peace." The two said. "They are gestures only the grenwalds know, so if they see that you are doing it with us at your side that should attract some less hostile attention.
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"Well then, this might actually work." Cannon muttered, smiling slightly. He felt sick from his injuries.
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"Great. We'll roll with that then." Ulfric agreed. He turned to Can. "Cannon...despite your condition I need you to see this through. You are the best middle man for the negotiation that will transpire."
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He nodded. "Assuming I don't collapse, you can count on me." He looked pale.
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"Alright. Then let's get to it." Ulfric said as he walked past the group. "You two grenwalds, stay with Cannon. I need to tell the Tokage what is about to transpire."
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Cannon looked to his new comrades. "Either of you happen to have some food? I haven't eaten all day."
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"I have a granola bar and a half eaten sandwich." Welters told Cannon as he took out the two crumbled food items from his pocket as the group walked down the stairs.